Max Holloway vs. Conor McGregor 3?

Why UFC 329 Left Their Rivalry Unfinished UFC 329 | Fight Corner Analysis Conor McGregor and Max Holloway have now fought twice. Officially, they're tied at one victory apiece. But after the way their UFC 329 rematch ended, it doesn't feel like their rivalry has been settled. McGregor won their first meeting by unanimous decision in 2013. Thirteen years later, Holloway officially evened the score when McGregor suffered a right knee injury just 69 seconds into their UFC 329 rematch. McGregor attempted a flying kick early in the fight and landed awkwardly on his right leg. He attempted to continue, but it quickly became clear that he couldn't compete effectively, and the fight was stopped at 1:09 of the opening round. Holloway got the official TKO victory. McGregor suffered another devastating injury setback. And fans got almost none of the answers they had waited 13 years to see. Afterward, Holloway made it clear that he wanted another opportunity. Could McGregor vs. Holloway 3 eventually become the fight that finally settles their rivalry? The First Fight Happened Before Either Man Became a Legend When McGregor and Holloway first fought in 2013, nobody could have fully predicted what their careers would become. McGregor was still building the momentum that would eventually turn him into the biggest star in MMA. Holloway was a young prospect who would eventually become one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history. McGregor won their first meeting by unanimous decision. But the fight became increasingly fascinating with time because of everything both men accomplished afterward. McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold championships in two divisions. Holloway became a dominant UFC featherweight champion and established himself as one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation. Thirteen years after their first meeting, their paths finally crossed again. UFC 329 Was Supposed to Give Us the Answer The rematch offered something rare. It wasn't simply two fighters meeting again. It was an opportunity to see how 13 years of evolution would change the matchup. Could Holloway's relentless pace overwhelm McGregor? Would McGregor's timing and power still create problems for Holloway? How would McGregor look after more than five years away from UFC competition? Could Holloway avenge one of the earliest losses of his career? Those questions made the rematch compelling. Then the fight ended almost as soon as it started. McGregor opened aggressively with an attempted flying kick but landed awkwardly on his right knee. He tried to continue. Holloway even recognized that something was wrong and alerted the referee as McGregor struggled with the injury. Eventually, the fight was stopped. Officially, Holloway had his revenge. Competitively, however, neither fighter got the opportunity to answer the questions surrounding the matchup. Holloway Deserves Credit for the Victory An injury ending can create an uncomfortable situation for the fighter who wins. But Holloway doesn't need to apologize for the result. He showed up prepared. He entered the Octagon ready to compete. And when his opponent could no longer continue because of an injury suffered during the fight, Holloway received the official victory. The result belongs to him. At the same time, it's reasonable to acknowledge that a 69-second injury stoppage doesn't provide the same competitive resolution as a conventional knockout, submission or five-round decision. Both things can be true. Holloway won the fight. And the rivalry still feels unfinished. The Score Is Now 1-1 From a promotional standpoint, the story almost writes itself. 2013: McGregor wins. 2026: Holloway wins. The series: 1-1. A third fight could determine who leaves the rivalry with the final victory. But there's another factor. Holloway himself wants it. Following the unusual conclusion to UFC 329, Holloway called for another fight with McGregor, saying they needed to do it "one more time." Holloway had actually discussed the possibility of fighting McGregor again even before UFC 329, hoping that a competitive rematch could lead to another meeting later in the year. Instead, the injury ending created an entirely different reason for a trilogy. McGregor's Health Has to Come First Before anyone starts planning McGregor vs. Holloway 3, there's a much bigger issue. McGregor's right knee. Another significant injury could mean another lengthy rehabilitation process. At this point in McGregor's career, every extended absence matters. He had already spent more than five years away from UFC competition before returning at UFC 329. Now his recovery has to take priority over matchmaking. The UFC shouldn't rush toward a trilogy simply because the story is marketable. First, the extent of McGregor's injury and his recovery timeline need to become clear. Then McGregor has to decide whether he wants to prepare for another comeback. Only after that does another fight become realistic. Holloway Shouldn't Have to Wait There's also Max Holloway's career to consider. Holloway earned the official victory at UFC 329. He shouldn't have to sit on the sidelines indefinitely while McGregor recovers. If Holloway has championship opportunities or other major fights available, he has every reason to pursue them. A trilogy can remain an option without becoming an immediate obligation. The rivalry already survived 13 years between its first two fights. If both fighters eventually want a third meeting, it doesn't necessarily have to happen next. Would a Third Fight Actually Look Different? That's the question UFC 329 never had time to answer. Holloway's game evolved dramatically between the first and second fights. He became known for extraordinary striking volume, combinations and an ability to build momentum as fights progress. McGregor, meanwhile, historically produced some of his most dangerous moments by establishing distance and timing early. That created a fascinating strategic contrast entering UFC 329. Could McGregor hurt Holloway before Holloway established his rhythm? Could Holloway extend the fight and force McGregor to deal with sustained pressure? How would McGregor's cardio look after more than five years away? How would each fighter adjust after having already shared the Octagon? Those were the questions entering UFC 329. Sixty-nine seconds later, they remained largely unanswered. The Trilogy Doesn't Need a Championship One of the strongest arguments for McGregor vs. Holloway 3 is that the fight doesn't need anything else attached to it. It doesn't need a championship. It doesn't need a tournament. It doesn't need a manufactured storyline. The history already exists. Two of the most recognizable fighters of their generation. Two fights separated by 13 years. One victory each. And a second fight that ended before the matchup truly had an opportunity to develop. That's a main-event story on its own. Fight Plan Breakdown: Why Rematches Are Different For fighters, rematches create a unique strategic challenge. You're not preparing for a completely unknown opponent. You're preparing for someone who has already experienced you. They've felt your speed. They've seen your timing. They've experienced your pressure. And you've experienced theirs. That means a second—or third—fight can become a battle of adjustments. What worked previously? What failed? What tendencies did your opponent expose? What will they expect you to change? The best fighters don't simply prepare to repeat the first fight. They prepare for the opponent's response to what happened previously. A McGregor-Holloway trilogy would be particularly interesting because 13 years separated their first two meetings. Both men became dramatically different fighters during that time. UFC 329 was supposed to reveal how those changes would affect the matchup. The injury prevented us from finding out. There Are Reasons Not to Make the Trilogy As compelling as the fight would be, it isn't automatically the correct decision. McGregor's health could make another fight unrealistic. Holloway could have better competitive opportunities available before McGregor is ready. The UFC may prefer to match either fighter against someone new. And McGregor himself has to decide whether he wants to go through another recovery and another comeback. A trilogy only works if both fighters are healthy and willing to compete. History alone shouldn't force either man into the fight. But If McGregor Returns, Holloway Will Be an Obvious Option McGregor could potentially have several high-profile opponents available if he competes again. Few would come with this much built-in history. The first fight happened before either man reached the peak of his fame. The second was supposed to show how much had changed. Instead, it ended after 69 seconds because of an injury. Now Holloway has publicly expressed interest in doing it again. If McGregor recovers and wants another UFC fight, the trilogy conversation isn't going away. Final Thoughts Max Holloway officially defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 329. That result belongs in the record books. But 69 seconds didn't provide the competitive conclusion fans hoped for from a rivalry spanning 13 years. McGregor won the first fight. Holloway won the second. The series is officially tied. Holloway wants another one. Whether it ever happens depends primarily on McGregor's recovery and what both fighters want from the next stages of their careers. Holloway shouldn't have to wait indefinitely. McGregor shouldn't rush another comeback. But if McGregor recovers and decides to fight again, there may be no easier story for the UFC to tell. One victory each. Thirteen years of history. And potentially one final fight to settle it.